Jailbird, p.33
Jailbird, page 33
Other spectators spilled into the surrounding seats, leaving me almost concealed by the crowd. From a door at the far end of the room in front of us, the judge came forth behind the podium. Dressed in the long black robes that you commonly see them wearing.
"All rise." The bailiff called out. Every person in the room, including me, rose to their feet, standing in respect for the judge.
"You may be seated." The judge said, pushing her long black hair behind her before sitting along with us. Taking a stack of papers off the podium and reviewing them quickly.
I felt like my heart was going to escape my chest, it was pounding so hard. I needed to see him. I needed to see Christian. But he was nowhere to be seen at all, and I suddenly panicked again. No matter how much time we spent apart, I still had this ungodly need to see him, to know he was ok.
"Bring out the defendant." The judge ordered.
The bailiff spoke softly into a walkie that was strapped to his uniform, and the doors in the back of the courtroom opened. Everyone in the room turned around to see who would come from those doors. Jake's eyes never leaving mine as he scowled. Looking at me like I was the reason he looked that way. And if my suspicions were correct, I was. I had never felt so stupid. I ran away from the man I loved because he defended me. It was becoming all too clear. I let a hollow snort come out as I twisted my face in anger, the realization sinking in. My love put everything on the line to protect me, and I left him alone. A stinging self-hatred pooled in my gut. How could I have been so foolish not to guess this? I would not continue that mistake.
Finally, four officers entered the courtroom and a familiar, tall, tattooed figure appeared amongst them. Christian. Bound like an animal, chains on both hands and feet hauled in like a monster. My love, MY Christian, brought in like a rabid dog. The chains that were connected to both of his ankles by cuffs that hung low on the orange jumpsuit that he wore, dragging along the ground. My heart screamed for him—— seeing him this way. Seeing him locked up this way. As he walked closer to me down the aisle, now only lead by one guard, I saw the bewildered, defeated expression on his face. It was torturous. Reaching out slightly from my spot on the near edge of the pew, I touched his leg, showing him I was here.
Quickly he shot his gaze down to me, and a look of grateful relief washed over him. He looked surprised to see me, but grateful none the less. Looking over to me, the officer I reached over to touch him shook his head in disapproval, giving me a look to show that I should not have done that. I couldn't help it, though. I needed him to know that I was right here. I was here for him. Like I should have been these past few weeks.
CHRISTIAN
* * *
Walking into that courtroom, I felt my entire world sinking. I scanned the crowd for the bright shine of pink hair. But I didn't see it. She didn't come. I swallowed hard as the officers switched off, the braver of the few volunteering to be the one to walk me to the stand. She didn't come. I didn’t know why that surprised me, but it did. But not only did it surprise me, but it also hurt. I guess that was her answer. She was done with me. Regardless, I had no regrets. Even if I had lost her, I would gladly fuck him up again for her honor. She deserved that, and so much more. The walk down the room was the slowest I have ever moved.
I felt myself going numb. Void of all thoughts or emotions, just numb. I lifted my head high. This was my last walk as a mostly free man, and I was going to do it proudly. We approached the front of the room, and our pace slowed even further. As we walked past the second to last row of seats, I felt something grab at the leg of my jumpsuit. Viciously, I snapped my eyes down to see who had touched me, but once I did, I almost fainted. I, a grown man, almost fainted.
Immediately I recognized the long-inked fingers that lingered on the orange material. Letting my eyes chase up her arm, and then landing on her face, I swore I died. Sitting there, looking as though she was going to explode with worry, a very blonde, very sorry-looking Nadia was looking back. The officer sitting next to her scolded her and she released the leg of my pants. Letting myself smile a little, I winked at her.
With one small touch and the knowledge of her being there, I found myself swept up into a whole new world of confidence, leading me up into that stand with a wicked grin. I might go down today, but I will go down knowing that she still loved me, and she was willing to show, regardless.
Once hauled up to the stand, I took my seat near the judge. Placing my hand on the bible I swore to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. All the while, my eyes locked onto the beautiful emerald ones that cried for me in the crowd. I smiled at her, trying to assure her that everything was going to be alright. We both knew it wasn't. But if there was anything I could do to ease her pain, even if it just a reassuring smile, I'd do it.
37
NADIA
* * *
The trial had started, and we were in full swing. Christian sat calm—cool—collected there on the stand. His hair was tussled everywhere, looking a mess. The orange of the jumpsuit looking like a beacon there in the courtroom's front. All eyes were on him.
First up to the front was Jake's lawyer, dressed to the nines, looking like he was ready for a fight. He was going to get one, too. If they were to put me on the stand to testify, I'd give him hell. Today was the day. I was going to fight for the freedom of Christian and my freedom from Jake. Today was the day that I was going to open the can of worms, for better or for worse. If they wanted the truth and nothing but the truth, they were going to fucking get it. Come hell or high water, I was going to make sure that the love of my life walked out of here unscathed, and Jake leaving burned. Even if I had to take on the responsibility and go down for him.
"Mr. Ray, can you please describe the events that transpired the night of the incident?" Jake's lawyer asked, his voice laced with spite and sarcasm. His whole tone and demeanor screaming arrogance and it irritated me. How he spat the words out made me want to stand up and slap him. God knows he deserved it. I was all too used to his bullshit. Every single time I was dragged in here because of Jake and Layla, I had to deal with this petty excuse for a man, and this time, he was going to see a side of me he would not like. I was fighting for so much more than custody this time. I was fighting for justice. This time, I was furious.
Christian, however, looked as brave and collected as ever. Sure, I knew that he had been down this road before; he had been in this same position before. He knew how to act, what to do, and what to say. It still astonished me, though, the way he held his head high, looking into the face of his fate like that. It was mesmerizing. As strange as it may sound, watching him chained up like some dangerous beat, calmly sitting before his upcoming hell with a smile, made me love him more. It was unnervingly attractive. Leaving me confused. How on earth was I able to walk away from him?
I felt like I could finally see exactly what this man was capable of. How strong he really was. Not just physically, but mentally. Confirming in my mind that he was everything to me, he was everything I could ever want or need. Even seeing him in a light like this, I still wanted nothing more or less than just him.
Clearing his throat, Chris told his side of the story. The answers I was looking for right around the corner. I was finally going to know exactly what happened. What went on while I was at the hospital. I was about to find out just how wrong I was for running away from him. The truth was about to shine through. It needed to.
"I was taking care of housework after dropping Layla off at school." Chris started but was interrupted by Jake's lawyer.
"Layla? Being Miss Archer' and Jake Parson's daughter, correct?"
Christian gave a curt nod, visibly bothered by the lawyer referring to Layla as Jake's. "Yes. Layla Archer. Nadia Archers Daughter." His answer was direct and deliberate, making emphasis on the fact that Layla was MY daughter, completely disregarding Jake. Clearing his throat, more so out of irritation this time, Chris continued the story.
"I was taking care of housework when I heard a pounding at the door. Naturally, I went to the door and looked through the peephole. I didn't recognize him at first, so I answered the door." Rocking in his seat, he stretched out his shoulders, causing the bailiff to jerk, no doubt afraid that Chris was about to pull something. However, he settled when Chris talked again. "Jake was confused who I was, thinking that he had made it to the wrong house when Nadia didn't answer the door. I, of course, asked how I could help him, and he declared he wanted to see Layla."
Chris's words, paired with the direct tone of his voice, commanded the attention of everyone in the room. He spoke so clearly and eloquently, which was an obvious surprise to many of the jury. They no doubt took one look at him and figured him to be aggressive and illiterate. I sure hoped he could change their minds.
"What was your response to that request?" The lawyer interjected.
Chris gave a smug grin at the lawyer, lifting his eyebrows tauntingly. Making a small show of the irritation he felt for being interrupted again. "I told him Layla was not there, and that I would not allow him to see her." The seriousness in his tone was haunting, but what he said made my heart break. I loved he was out to protect Layla. I loved that he so easily and confidently was willing to send Jake away from seeing her. I loved he defended us.
"Jake was not happy with that answer, but it was the only answer that I would give. Layla has not once met him, and it would not be right for me to potentially put her in harm's way without discussing with her mother about it first." Chris added, looking directly at me.
"Continue." The lawyer demanded.
"I will." Chris remarked coldly. "I explained to Jake that the reason he could not see Layla as long as I was around, was that she did not know him, which made him a stranger. And also, he refuses to pay Nadia her child support due, refusing to help care for Layla. I also didn't feel comfortable having Layla near him since only a week before he physically assaulted her mother in a bar, and the reason they conceived Layla was because of sexual assault."
The jury murmured to themselves, and frantic whispering came from behind me. The whole courtroom in complete shock because of the last statement. I watched as Jake's shoulders visibly tensed. He looked like he was ready to crawl out of his skin. His lawyer looked back to him, making sure that he kept his composure, shooting him a "you better calm down" look before returning to the questioning.
"Now, please explain to me and the court what caused you to make an attempt at his life."
Everyone in the room sat wide-eyed, waiting in anticipation to drag Chris through the mud. I gasped. Deep down I knew why we were here, but to hear the words that he tried to kill Jake was frightening. This time it wasn't because I was frightened of him for trying to kill him, but more frightened by what could happen to him because of it.
With a deep sigh, one that caused a huge rise and fall of his chest, Chris readied himself. He directed his gaze to me, his eyes locked onto mine like he was making sure that I heard every word that came from his lips. I was ready to listen too. "I told him to remove himself from the property when he got more aggressive, but he refused. He continuously referred to Nadia as a whore. So, I hit him. Many times. I would have stopped if it wasn't for one statement that he had made during the quarrel."
Interrupting again, Jake's lawyer stood right up at the stand, placing his face far too close to Chris's. "What statement would that be?" the lawyer asked harshly.
"He said that Nadia deserved what she got. He also said he'd gladly do it again because he liked the way she never fought back." Chris grit his teeth. His jaw ticked as he leaned in closer to the lawyer, causing him to step back. “So, I fought for her.”
The entire room gasped, and many angry women locked their eyes on the badly beaten Jake. My eyes filled with tears, and it took everything in me to stand up and scream at him. I felt like I had just been kicked in the chest.
"That will be all." Jake's lawyer stated, taking a seat at his place next to Jake. Obviously bothered by what was said.
Christian's lawyer then stood. Buttoning up his dark blue suit jacket, smoothing it expertly. "Mr. Ray. What is your relationship to Nadia Archer?"
Christian looked at me quickly, his eyes darting in my direction like he was looking for the right answer. Wetting my lips, I nodded to him. My silent way of telling him exactly what he wanted to say was still very much true. "Nadia Archer is my Fiancé." Chris stated proudly, sending a gentle smile that screamed 'thank you." A smile that I returned merrily.
"How long have you known Miss Archer?" The lawyer continued the questioning.
“Seven years. She is the little sister of my best friend."
Chris's lawyer nodded. "And you were aware of the situation between Miss Archer and Jake Parsons."
"Yes, I was."
Chris's lawyer nodded again, thoughtfully. "Would you consider Mr. Parsons a threat to Miss Archer and her daughter?"
Chris cleared his throat. "Yes, I do."
"Do you believe that Mr. Parsons did indeed sexually assault Miss Archer, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy?"
"OBJECTION!" Jake's lawyer called out. "An opinion is no factual basis."
"Your client is not the one on trial yet, I'll allow it." The judge retorted. The judge then looked over at Christian. "Please answer the question."
Chris swallowed hard. "Yes. I do."
"I see." Chris's lawyer muttered thoughtfully. "And would you say that what you did was done out of protection for Miss Archer and her daughter?"
"Objection, neither Miss Archer nor her daughter were at the residence during the incident." Jake's lawyer snapped.
I swore I saw the judge roll her eyes. "Sustained. Continue on." The judge spoke calmly.
Back and forth the lawyers questioned Christian, and he stood tall against them all. His answers were brief mostly, made up of simple yes or no answers. He remained confident, and whereas I could tell he was panicking inside, he made a great show to the others. Making him seem to be completely unfazed by the questioning.
Then it was Jake's turn. Once on the stand, he was asked to describe what happened and his response made me sick. He played it up like he was cordial and said nothing of the sort. He played up like the victim, sending out a sickening sob story about how he only wanted to see his daughter who I apparently refused to ever let him meet. No one was buying it, thankfully.
He played up his position like he was wronged, and I was some money-grubbing witch. I wanted to stand up and rip him to shreds, but I had to wait. Soon they would call me to testify, and then I would unleash hell. I would unleash all of the fury I wished I had before. Until I was called, I knew I had to stay calm. I needed to stay quiet. His sob story seemed to win over the jury, mostly. All until the moment the questions leaned closer to the air of him and me, not him and Layla, or him and Christian. It was almost like the smallest mention of my name made something switch in his mind, and his answers turned to those more aggressive and viler.
"Mr. Parsons, how would you describe your relationship between yourself and Miss Archer?" Chris's lawyer inquired.
"Relationship?" Jake spat with a hollow laugh. "I don't have a relationship with that bitch. I tried talking to her many times about bringing our family back together, but she was too hung up on letting the convict raise my daughter."
Tapping his finger on the bench, Chris's lawyer listened patiently. "Isn't it correct that you have remarried yourself about 4 years ago, having other children with your wife now?" The jury murmured again. Looking at Jake strangely. Jake remained silent. "Isn't that your wife and three children sitting there in the back? Were they aware of your attempts to rekindle a family with Miss Archer?"
Jake looked visibly uncomfortable. Turning around, I searched the faces until I found a woman with short blond hair, holding a set of toddlers. Twins. And a young girl who looked to be about three sitting next to her. The woman looked tired and ragged. Leaving me to believe that her relationship with Jake was much like ours, and I pitied her. She didn't look shocked. She didn't look appalled. She just sat there looking almost hollow, absorbing the information like it didn't surprise her in the slightest.
"Please answer the question, Mr. Parsons." The judge commanded, and Jake fidgeted.
"Yes, I am married." Was the only response he could muster out.
"And was it before or after your marriage that you sought to rekindle a relationship with Miss Archer?" The lawyer continued.
Jake's face flushed with frustration. Shaken by the questioning. "After." He muttered.
The lawyer shook his head. "Would you mind repeating that so the court can hear it?"
Jake swallowed hard. "After." He spoke up.
"What brought you to the Archer residence on the day of the incident?"
"I wanted to make sure that Nadia would not be pressing charges on me." His words choked out heavily.
"Press charges on you for physically assaulting her at the bar?" The lawyer urged. Jake remained silent. "How was it that you planned to keep her quiet?" The lawyer fired off an additional question.
“I—— I don't know." Jake stuttered.
"So, it's fair to say that you were Miss Archer's attacker, and you were at her residence to keep her quiet about it and were met at the door by Mr. Ray?" Chris's lawyer fired off again.
Jake continued to stammer through his answers, and my heart started beating wildly. By the looks of both lawyers, Chris’s lawyer seemed far more confident than Jake's. Especially after the spotty testimony that Jake was giving. All of his answers were contradicting, and he more or less was incriminating himself more than he was incriminating Chris. I felt like we might be out of the woods. As long as the lawyers could keep the jury on Chris's side, we were in the clear. The last set of testimonies that were to come would be my own. I had butterflies in my stomach.
